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James Lindsay, Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, reveals his definitive rankings of the best and worst U.S. foreign policy decisions over the past 250 years.
The World Affairs Council of Charlotte is honored to welcome General Paul M. Nakasone, a retired U.S. Army four-star general and one of the nation’s foremost leaders in cybersecurity and national defense, as a featured speaker in the WACC National Security Series on March 12, 2026. From 2018 to 2024, he led U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency, overseeing national cyber defense, global intelligence operations, and the protection of critical infrastructure during a period of escalating cyber threats. Drawing on more than 30 years of military leadership, including combat deployments, General Nakasone will examine the global cyber threat landscape, the role of artificial intelligence and state-sponsored attacks, vulnerabilities facing governments and the private sector, and how cyber operations are reshaping modern conflict and national security. Now the Founding Director of Vanderbilt University’s Institute of National Security, he brings unparalleled insight into the future of cyber defense and global security.
Join us on March 10th for this timely discussion as Dan Schnur explores explore the unfolding situation in Iran following recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes and the subsequent formation of an interim leadership council as Tehran begins a constitutional transition process. The discussion will examine how these events have affected regional security, global responses, and broader international dynamics in 2026.
Join the World Affairs Council of Charlotte for our International Women’s Day 2026 program, “Give to Gain." This year’s keynote speaker, Sabrina L. Brathwaite, Senior Vice President / Resident Director and Senior Financial Advisor for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, will lead a timely conversation on leadership, financial empowerment, and the importance of investing intentionally in women’s economic advancement.
The World Affairs Council of Charlotte is pleased to welcome Kurk Wilks, President and Chief Executive Officer of MANN+HUMMEL, as a featured speaker in our CEO Series on March 3, 2026. As the global leader of a German-headquartered company with more than 21,000 employees across 80+ locations worldwide, Mr. Wilks offers a unique perspective on German–U.S. economic ties, transatlantic leadership, and managing complex global operations in an increasingly interconnected world.
Join The Young Professionals of the World Affairs Council of Charlotte, UNC Charlotte’s Office of International Programs, and the UNC Charlotte Career Center for the opportunity to attend in person, network, and hear several professionals discuss the international elements of their careers in the higher education, business, government, and nonprofit sectors.
On February 4th, the Young Professionals of the WACC will host the next installment of our Drink About It program series at Lost Worlds Brewing Charlotte in Midtown. This moderated panel discussion will explore the transformative power of art across cultures and borders and examine how artistic expression shapes global perspectives, challenges assumptions, and fosters connection in an increasingly interconnected world.
Join the World Affairs Council of Charlotte for a WACC Ambassadors Circle Series luncheon with H.E. Francisco António Duarte Lopes, Ambassador of Portugal to the United States, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Ambassador Duarte Lopes will discuss Portugal’s foreign policy priorities, its strategic partnership with the United States, and its role in today’s evolving global landscape, including Atlantic security, transatlantic cooperation, trade, technology, and leadership within the European Union, offering attendees a clear and forward-looking perspective on Portugal’s global engagement and the opportunities ahead for strengthening U.S.–Portugal collaboration.
Annually, "The World Ahead" series by The Economist offers a forward-looking perspective on anticipated developments in the upcoming year. Tom Standage, Deputy Editor-In-Chief of The Economist and Editor of "The World Ahead 2026," will provide well-informed predictions, in-depth analyses from foreign policy and current affairs experts, a synopsis of the global economic forecast, and crucial insights into focal issues that are poised to be significant touchpoints in the coming year.
Join the World Affairs Council of Charlotte on January 21 for a national WAC program featuring Bill Hartung, senior fellow at the Quincy Institute. In conversation with Jim Falk on WorldNow, Hartung will break down the forces shaping the American military‑industrial complex and explore how rethinking a trillion‑dollar defense system could strengthen America’s future.
